5 Top Reasons to include Brussels Sprouts in your diet

Of recent owing to many health magazines and cooking shows on TV, the name of an unfamiliar vegetable is making rounds - Brussels sprout. Is this another fad? So what has this tiny member of the cabbage family got that others do not?

What is Brussels sprout?

Brussels sprouts are like mini cabbages native to Brussels, Belgium. It would not be incorrect of you to mistake it to be a plastic toy cabbage.

It is very popular in Mediterranean cuisine. In India, it is grown in hills of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Tamilnadu and Jammu & Kashmir.

Why is it healthy?

Brussels sprouts are full of healthy antioxidants. Eating food rich in antioxidants are known to play a role in preventing cellular damage, diabetes, etc.

Brussels sprout is a good source of protein with just one serving providing adequate vitamin C and vitamin K. B-vitamins like folic acid and vitamin B6, essential minerals and dietary fibre are present in lesser amounts. They fall into the low-calorie foods.

Vitamin K helps calcium absorption by the bones. They are also a good source of calcium, which is essential for bone strength and growth. Brussels sprouts contain potassium, which can lower your blood pressure.

Many studies have suggested that Brussels sprouts decrease the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. The fibre in them prevents constipation and helps the body maintain healthy levels of sugar.

Brussels sprout is a known for reducing cholesterols, especially when you steam them.

Brussels sprouts contain a sulphur compound, glucosinolate, shown to have potential anticancer activity in lab experiments. It is the very same compound is responsible for its bitterness.

Brussels sprouts contain alpha-lipoic acid that has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity, lower glucose levels, and prevent oxidative stress-induced changes in individuals with diabetes. More research is underway to study the impact of consuming Brussels sprouts on Diabetes.

How can they be consumed?

Similar to cabbage, the texture would be much denser and crunchy. The taste, however, is bitter for some taste buds and hence many children dislike (actually hate) it. Cooking them right can make them delicious. The Brussels are typically prepared by boiling, steaming, stir-frying or even roasting. They are cooked whole, while some cut them into two halves. Brussels sprouts can be pickled as well.

When buying, buy them fresh. You should be able to make that out with the vibrant colour and crisp leaves. Choose the smaller ones as the bigger ones tend to be bitterer. Sauté or roast and pair them with cheese, nuts or other vegetables. Kids will like the nutty flavour. Boiling them leads to overcooking, which will strip them of their nutritional value and also leave a strong taste and odour.

Do make sure that it is a part of your diet. This little guy packs a punch.